Latest news with #ZeeshanRafique
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab CM announces up to 40pc relief in power tariffs
LAHORE: Punjab Cabinet, which met here Tuesday with the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the chair, accorded approval for reduction in tariffs of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Private Limited and Punjab Thermal Power Private Limited. The Chief Minister also announced to reduce power tariffs in order to reduce electricity bills so as to provide maximum relief to the people. The Chief Minister approved to reduce the tariffs of Punjab's power companies. On the direction of Chief Minister, the tariffs may be reduced by 30 to 40 percent. Punjab became the first province to voluntarily reduce electricity tariffs. The Chief Minister said that people repose their complete trust in the leadership and government of PML-N. The provincial cabinet extended congratulations to the CM on party's win in the by-election at Sambrial. It was apprised that the victory gained with a huge majority in 80 percent rural provincial constituencies is a manifestation of farmers' complete confidence in the policies of Chief Minister Punjab. A large number of youth and women cast their votes in the Sambrial by-election. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Provincial Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik. Minister Zeeshan Rafique informed the cabinet that the people voted in large numbers due to public welfare initiatives and projects of Chief Minister Punjab. Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik said that people came out of their homes in a large number and voted for PML-N. The Chief Minister congratulated the Minister for Health, Minister for Communications and relevant secretaries for ensuring improvements in the conditions of hospital and roads in Layyah. She directed to take necessary steps for the establishment of a medical college in Layyah. The cabinet approved a grant-in-aid of Rs 400 million to the Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation. The PJHF will pay RUDA for the land of Lahore Press Club Housing Scheme Phase II. The CM said that a huge package is going to be given to the wheat farmers. It was informed in the meeting that the payment of Rs 5,000 per acre subsidy has been completed to 514,000 wheat farmers in Punjab. The payment will be made after the verification process of another 500,000 wheat farmers is completed. An amount of Rs. 63 billion was provided in the second phase through Kisan Card and farmers have purchased fertilizer worth Rs 18 billion. The cabinet approved the Chief Minister Wheat Program 2025. The establishment of Punjab's first 'Air Punjab Private Limited Company' was also approved. The CM set a target of starting 'Air Punjab' within one year. She directed to take immediate steps for closing vaping centres in the province. She directed to ensure 'safety gear' for labourers and workers and assigned the Labour Department a target of implementing safety SOPs for workers within a month. The provincial cabinet approved ration cards for workers and miners registered with the Labour Department. The meeting also approved the provision of electric buses in nine divisions of Punjab. The CM directed to establish charging stations in all major cities as soon as possible. The meeting approved the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre Lahore Act 2025. The CM directed to admit all sick children to the autism centre without any discrimination. The cabinet approved the transfer of land to establish Pakistan's first Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore. The medical District will have blood diseases, bone marrow and all other specialized centers on a five thousand kanals of land. Parks, hotels, food court, play area and urban forest will be established in the Nawaz Sharif Medical District. A globally renowned institution has contacted for the establishment of a children hospital in the Nawaz Sharif Medical District. The Chief Minister set a target of providing essential facilities in all schools across Punjab. Classrooms, toilet blocks, furniture and laboratories will be built in every school worth Rs. 40 billion. The provincial cabinet approved the provision of 1100 interest-free electric taxis in Lahore. The meeting approved Punjab's first child protection policy to determine the responsibilities of institutions to ensure the safety of children. Special grant-in-aid was approved for the heirs of those killed in the attack in the Attock District Courts. Eco-tourism projects were approved in Changa Manga Wildlife, Lal Sohanra National Park. The cabinet approved the construction, repair and upgradation of bus shelters in Lahore. Approval was also given to build depots for electric buses at Thokar Niaz Baig and Railway Station. The meeting approved an Rs 100 billion Chief Minister Punjab Special Financing Facility to assist flour mills and food grains license holders. The implementation of the Electronic Warehouse Reset System (EWR) was approved to facilitate farmers. The cabinet approved the presentation of the annual report of the Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (P-TEVTA) for 2022-23 in the Punjab Assembly. The proposal to delegate the powers of sub-registrars to Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars was also approved. The formation of agencies to be established under the Punjab Road Safety Authority Act 2023 was approved. The cabinet approved the Measurement Book in the Public Works Department. The Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Bill 2025 was also approved. Amendments to the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 were approved for the provision of reflective number plates. Approval for issuance of Personalized Vanity Plates (PVP) in Punjab/ Reserve Price and Transfer Fee was approved. The provincial cabinet approved the registration of electric vehicles in Punjab. Reward system for officers/ officials and informers of the Excise Taxation and Narcotics Department was approved. Amendments to the Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act, 2024 were approved. The meeting approved the Mines and Minerals Act, 2025, to harmonize the regulatory framework of the mineral resources sector. A service level agreement for technical assistance between the Punjab Information Technology Board and the Higher Education Department was approved. The Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Services Bill, 2025 was approved. The dissolution of the Board of Management of the Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Lahore and the formation of an Administration Committee under the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions Act, 2003 were approved. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Minister highlights importance of Youm-e-Takbir
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique on Wednesday said that the importance of Youm-e-Takbir has increased today in the context of recent Operation Bunyanun Marsus; former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shattered India's dream of becoming the regional policeman and gave a befitting reply to the enemy by carrying out nuclear explosions. In a message on Youm-e-Takbir, he averred that the nuclear explosions of May 28 proved to be instrumental in making Pakistan's defence invincible. 'Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif continued the same policy and took bold decisions; as a result of this policy, the Pakistani Army gave a befitting reply to the enemy's aggression on May 10, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's war strategy has become a golden chapter in history,' he added. Rafique said that as a result, the enemy was forced to reconsider, and India's war ambitions began to look for an escape route. He acknowledged that all three branches of the armed forces protected the motherland. 'Allah Almighty bestowed Pakistan with grace and respect internationally in the 'Marka-e-Haq', while the enemy was badly humiliated and disgraced on every front,' he added. He continued that the people stood with the Pakistani forces after seeing the threat to their country. "It has been proven that strong defence is indispensable for peace. In the future, the enemy will think twice before attempting to challenge Pakistan,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt to enforce ban on road digging
The Punjab government has decided to strictly enforce a ban on road and street excavation without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from relevant authorities, as part of efforts to streamline development work and prevent repeated damage to newly completed infrastructure. The decision was made during a steering committee meeting of the Lahore Development Programme (LDP), chaired by Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique. The CM's Special Assistant on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik emphasised that no excavation would be permitted after construction is completed and warned of zero tolerance for sub-standard work. He said that the steering committee should be kept regularly updated on all developments. Divisional Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood assured the committee that all departments concerned are working in coordination to ensure the timely execution of the LDP projects. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza confirmed that following the completion of LDP schemes, no road or street would be disturbed without prior approval through an NOC. He noted that the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) are jointly implementing the programme in line with the guidance of the steering committee and the chief minister's directives. The committee reviewed the progress of development projects across the provincial capital and directed officials to strictly adhere to timelines, with an emphasis on minimising public inconvenience and completing excavation work before the monsoon season. Minister Zeeshan Rafique underscored the importance of ensuring alternative routes for citizens during construction activity. He urged the public to cooperate with the administration in maintaining newly developed infrastructure. He also noted that with the recent expansion of WASA's jurisdiction in Lahore, the agency's operational capacity must be enhanced, and various proposals in this regard are under consideration at the government level. He added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is monitoring the progress by visiting project sites and her directives must be followed in all schemes. Information Minister Azma Bukhari emphasised the need for long-term planning, particularly in the installation of street lights and sewerage infrastructure. She said that systems should be designed to meet the city's needs for the next 30 years. She also called for accelerating the pace of work immediately after the Eidul Azha holidays and reiterated that the LDP includes plans for the restoration of public parks and improvements to cemetery facilities. Local Government Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi and WASA Managing Director Syed Ghufran Ahmed also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the district administration registered six FIRs, sealed 12 properties and demolished over 4,000 encroachments during an operation on Monday. During the action, 36 truckloads of encroachment material were also seized. Unauthorised banners, posters and streamers were removed in large numbers to improve the urban landscape. With additional input from APP
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pindi's tehsils set for grand makeover
The Suthra Punjab Programme has been launched simultaneously in the 21 tehsils of the Rawalpindi Division, with an annual expenditure of up to Rs22 billion. The plan involves door-to-door waste collection, followed by waste dumping, landfills, and then waste-to-energy processes. Additionally, 10,500 new employees have been recruited in the Rawalpindi Division alone, with a total of 125,000 jobs being created across Punjab. So far, 90,000 positions have been filled. The Suthra Punjab Programme has also contributed to business growth and employment in sectors like IT, textiles, manufacturing, and others. Addressing the launch ceremony of the Suthra Punjab Programme in the Rawalpindi Division, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique, and Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema shared their thoughts. Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, speaking on the occasion, said, "Ask us about our performance – how we ended defaults and load shedding, how we reduced inflation to the lowest level, how we increased exports, and how we developed health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and other sectors. Don't ask us about creating chaos and disorder." "We are bringing metro services to Gujranwala and Faisalabad, and introducing 550 electric buses in Punjab. 27 buses have already reached Lahore, with Rawalpindi receiving a significant share, she further said, adding the Punjab government was investing Rs40 billion in water supply projects in Rawalpindi. "The issue of Nullah Leh is being addressed and the incomplete Mother and Child Hospital project, abandoned by previous administrators, will now be completed by December this year under the name of Children's Hospital, the minister added. Ms Aurangzeb further said that additionally, 500,000 citizens were receiving medicines at their homes, and all primary healthcare centres and hospitals were being revamped and upgraded. "Lady Health Inspectors will now reach people's homes." Minister Zeeshan Rafique said that the Suthra Punjab Programme would create 125,000 jobs across the province, adding 90,000 had already been filled. "Monitoring of this programme is being done digitally. By introducing e-tendering in Punjab, we are ensuring transparency. This program will generate billions in business for other sectors. All 56 companies involved in the Suthra Punjab Programme are local companies," he added. Rawalpindi DC Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that a grievance redressal system had been set up for the public, encouraging the people to make Suthra Punjab Programme a success so that they could live in a cleaner, healthier environment.
